Best Mattresses for Guest Bedrooms

All about guest room mattresses

When you have friends or family staying in your home, you want to be able to offer them a good night’s sleep–and not a creaky, uncomfortable mattress. However, choosing the best guest room mattress requires you to think somewhat differently than buying a mattress just for yourself. A guest mattress should:

Be comfortable for a wide variety of sleepers

Fit in your space

Be within your budget

Fortunately, the rise of direct-to-consumer mattress companies means you can have a high-quality mattress shipped directly to your home for less money than ever before.

In this guide, we’ll help you better understand what to look for in a guest room mattress, based on your needs. We’ll also list the best mattresses for guests across a variety of materials, sizes, and budgets.

What to look for in a mattress for guests

When choosing a guest mattress, it’s important to consider who will be using it, how often it will be used, and how it will fit into your home. Here are a few key factors to keep in mind.

Versatility

Different people have different mattress needs and preferences, and there’s no such thing as a mattress that’s perfect for everyone. However, you can still choose a versatile mattress that the majority of your guests will find comfortable. Most experts recommend a medium-firm guest mattress as an option that will provide adequate support to heavier sleepers, while not being so hard that lighter sleepers are uncomfortable. If a guest needs more cushioning than a medium-firm mattress provides, you can also add a mattress topper to provide a more plush feel.

Durability

Unlike other mattresses, durability doesn’t need to be a primary concern when you’re shopping for a guest mattress. If your guest room mattress will only be used occasionally, you don’t need to worry about getting an ultra-long warranty. This means you can focus on other qualities when making your purchase.

Storability

Do you have a dedicated guest room in your home? If so, a permanent mattress may be a good investment. But if you’d like to free up that space for other things, or you don’t have a designated guest room, you might want to choose a temporary air mattress.

Use

Knowing what guest room mattress you need is largely a matter of knowing how you’ll be using it. If you have frequent guests, you’ll need to make durability a higher priority. If your guests tend to be couples, you’ll want to consider a larger bed. If you frequently host family members with allergies or back problems, you should take those into account. Finally, even though this mattress is for guests, you may end up using it if you’re sick or trying not to disturb your partner, so be sure to choose a mattress you don’t mind sleeping on.

Pros and cons of different mattresses for your guest room

There are excellent (and not-so-excellent) mattresses in every support core. Each material has pros and cons, but choosing which type is right for you means knowing your own needs and priorities. This section will help you weigh the positive and negative aspects of different mattress types. For more information please visit our page on mattress support cores.

Memory foam

People often have a “love it or hate it” reaction to memory foam mattresses. Some sleepers enjoy memory foam’s body-contouring property, which relieves pressure points and makes people feel cradled. Others find this sensation stifling, and feel that it makes it harder to change positions. Memory foam has very little bounce and a high degree of motion isolation, which makes it a good option for when multiple guests are sharing a bed. Memory foam also has a reputation for sleeping hot, so if you choose this material for a guest room mattress, make sure it has cooling or breathable comfort layers.

Pros:

Quiet: No springs means no squeaks, so your guests won’t keep you up at night.

Affordable: There are many memory foam mattresses that feel luxurious at a budget-friendly cost, especially if durability isn’t a major concern.

Good for couples: The high degree of motion isolation means that your guests won’t disturb each other.

Cons:

Divisive: Some sleepers simply don’t enjoy memory foam’s “cradling” feel, though this can be counteracted if layered with other materials.

Can sleep hot: To avoid your guests overheating, choose a memory foam that is aerated or infused with cooling gel or copper.

Can use harsh chemicals: Some memory foams are made with potentially dangerous flame-retardant chemicals, which can aggravate people with certain allergies. Look for Certi-PUR certified memory foam to make sure you’re not putting your guests’ health at risk.

Innerspring

Despite the arrival of new materials, coiled springs are still what many people picture when they think of mattresses. Innerspring can be a good option for a guest mattress, since they tend to be affordable and versatile. However, not all innerspring mattresses are created equally. Look for one with the springs in pocketed coils, which will provide better motion isolation for couples. It’s also important for innerspring mattresses to have adequate comfort layers, or you risk giving your guests a creaky, lumpy night’s sleep.

Pros:

Versatile: A medium-firm innerspring mattress is likely to fit the needs of most of your guests, since it’s still what most people expect in a mattress.

Affordable: Innerspring mattresses typically cost less than more exotic materials.

Breathable: Innerspring mattresses are less likely to sleep hot than some alternatives, which is a major factor in overall comfort.

Cons:

Creaky: Without adequate support layers, springs can be noisy, which is irritating for guests and host alike.

Beware ultra low-cost: You can take the savings offered by innerspring mattresses too far, and end up with a thin, lumpy, and uncomfortable mattress your guests won’t appreciate.

Can be bad for couples: There are several types of innerspring mattress, and those with a “continuous coil” design have a lot of motion transfer. Choose a pocketed coil if possible.

Latex

Latex has become a popular mattress material in recent years, thanks to its high durability, good spinal support, and versatility. Latex softens for pressure point relief and firms up under heavy weight, so it’s an especially versatile material. Most latex mattresses are a blend of natural and synthetic latex, and the higher the percentage of organic material, the higher the price tag. Latex resists becoming hot or cold, and is usually aerated for breathability. However, latex mattresses are quite heavy and dense, and they also tend to be expensive, so this might be more of an investment than you are willing to make in a guest bed.

Pros:

Versatile: Latex is a highly versatile material, meaning that almost any sleeper, regardless of weight or sleeping position, would get adequate support.

Sleeps cool: If you live in a warm house or climate, a latex mattress will keep your guests from overheating.

Natural and eco-friendly: Natural latex is hypoallergenic, and many latex mattresses place an emphasis on eco-friendly manufacturing practices that do not use chemicals.

Cons:

Expensive: Latex mattresses, especially those with a high percentage of natural latex, typically come with a higher price tag.

Heavy: Latex is a very dense and heavy material, which makes it a challenge to move or reposition.

Hybrid

A hybrid mattress combines elements of coils with foam, latex, or natural fibers. The goal is to provide the cushion of memory foam with the ease of motion and bounce of innersprings. Hybrid mattresses are typically versatile, good for couples, and tend to sleep cool. However, the complex combination of components make hybrids some of the most expensive mattresses on the market, which might strain your guest room budget.

Pros:

Versatile: Hybrid mattresses offer the best features of springs and foam, so they’re able to please a wide range of sleepers.

Good for couples: Hybrid materials offer the high motion isolation of foam, without the sinking feeling.

Cons:

Expensive: A hybrid mattress may not be in your budget for a guest room, especially if it’s only going to see occasional use.

Durability: Despite the cost, hybrid mattresses that contain polyfoams may break down over time.

Heavy:All those layers add a lot of weight to hybrid mattresses, making them challenging to move.

Air mattress

If you don’t want a permanent bed taking up space in your guest room, or you’re not ready to invest in a more expensive mattress, there are many high-quality air mattresses available that can be quickly inflated and deflated for overnight visitors. Unfortunately, even the best air mattresses have limited durability and are subject to puncture and leaks. Their limited edge retention can also make them a challenge for older people to get in and out of bed easily.

Pros:

Space-saving: Air mattresses can be brought out when you need them and stored away when you don’t, freeing up space in your home.

Affordable: You can buy a comfortable, queen-sized air mattress for less money than you’d spend on a permanent bed with any other support core.

Portable: You can set up an air mattress anywhere in your home or even take it outside for camping trips.

Cons:

Low durability: A good air mattress will support your guests throughout the night with no leaks…until it doesn’t. Air mattresses simply aren’t designed to last forever, which can be a problem if they stop working when you need them most.

Not for long-term guests: An air mattress can be comfortable for a few nights, but if your guests are staying longer, they’ll need something that gives them more support.

Poor edge retention: While some air mattresses are designed with coils to address this problem, older people and those with back pain can still struggle to use them.

Finding your guest room mattress size

When you’re trying to decide what size mattress to purchase for your guest room, start by asking a few questions:

What will fit in my space? You might be able to squeeze a large bed in your guest room, but consider whether this will negatively impact your ability to use that room for other things when you don’t have guests. A Queen mattress allows you to host couples comfortably, but a Twin will free up more space for a home office or other use.

Who am I hosting? If your most frequent guests are couples or larger people, you’ll need a bigger bed. By contrast, if you only host your child’s friends for the occasional sleepover, you can get by with a smaller mattress or even an air mattress.

How often will I use this bed? Again, if this mattress will only be used a few nights per year, you might want to save money and space by choosing a Twin or Full mattress. But if you tend to host guests for long periods of time, or you yourself anticipate using it occasionally, a larger mattress can provide more comfort.

The best mattresses for guest rooms

As we’ve discussed, finding the best mattress for your guest room means balancing your guests’ comfort, your home’s available space, and the amount of money you’re willing to spend. In choosing our picks, we’ve selected mattresses made of a wide variety of materials, and priced to suit a variety of budgets. Our choices are based on our own research and consumer reviews.

Luxi

Luxi is a California-made hybrid mattress, constructed with four core layers of memory foam, polyfoam, and latex. Luxi’s truly unique feature is its customizability, which allows users to rearrange these layers according to their preference, so you can provide a firmer or softer experience to your guests as needed. Luxi is relatively light and easy to move, and is also reasonably priced. The presence of polyfoam means it may be limited in terms of durability, but as discussed, that may not be a priority for a guest room mattress. The chief complaint about Luxi is that its return and refund process is difficult and unresponsive.

Highlights:

Customizable: Luxi’s rearrangable layers make it a very versatile choice, capable of satisfying most guests

Affordable:Luxi is considered reasonably priced, especially among mattresses with a latex element.

Sleeps cool: The presence of latex and the breathable design of the “Support Balancing Technology” layer avoids the overheating properties of other foam mattresses.

Luxi Coupon

Tuft & Needle

The Tuft & Needle mattress is constructed of several layers of proprietary polyfoams. These foams are highly adaptive, providing pressure point relief and body contouring without the “quicksand feeling” many people dislike in memory foam. Customers have also praised this mattress’ breathability and high motion isolation. Tuft & Needle is one of the most affordable options on our list, and its customer service is highly regarded. This mattress can be purchased medium-firm or firm, which may not be soft enough for side sleepers.

Highlights:

Affordable: You can purchase a Queen Tuft & Needle for roughly half the cost of some of its competitors.

Good for couples: The high motion isolation and breathability ensures that multiple guests can comfortably share this bed without disturbing one another.

No sinking feeling: Guests who dislike the feeling of memory foam will be more comfortable on this polyfoam blend.

Health-friendly foam: Tuft & Needle is Certi-PUR, Oeko-tex, and Greenguard certified, meaning it’s made without the use of harmful chemicals.

Casper Essential

Casper was a pioneer of the bed-in-a-box mattress industry, and the Essential is their most budget-friendly mattress. The Casper Essential is made from a combination of polyfoam and memory foam. Its top layer is constructed with a soft open-cell foam, which provides breathability and cushion on an otherwise firm mattress. Customers praise this mattress’ light weight and ease of setup, but at 8.5 inches, it’s somewhat thinner than most mattresses, which can be an issue for heavier sleepers and sleepers with back pain.

Highlights:

Budget-friendly: A Queen Casper Essential mattress costs $600 and includes free shipping and a comprehensive warranty.

Sleeps cool: The open-cell foam won’t trap in heat.

Removable cover: If your houseguests make a mess, the polyester cover zips off for easy cleaning.

Avocado

The Avocado Green Mattress is a hybrid mattress with a core of pocketed coils, surrounded by two layers of 100% natural latex. Avocado prides itself on being eco-friendly and hypoallergenic, with a organic cotton cover, wool comfort layer, and a natural silica fire barrier. Users have praised its lack of odor, breathable design, and firm comfort. Like many latex hybrid mattresses, the Avocado is quite heavy and requires two people to set up. This mattress is also somewhat expensive, and is more of a luxury purchase than a no-frills guest room option. If you or your guests have allergies or other health concerns, this is a great mattress to prevent skin or lung irritation.

Highlights:

Natural materials: If you want your guest bed to be both healthy and environmentally-friendly, the Avocado’s materials have few rivals.

Sleeps cool: The combination of breathable innersprings and natural latex means the Avocado Green Mattress will stay much cooler than mattresses made of other materials.

Pressure point relief: Your guests will feel pampered by the body-contouring latex foam, or you might end up making this your full-time mattress.

Leesa

Leesa is an American-made mattress made of a dense foam core, a layer of memory foam, and topped with a proprietary latex alternative foam. Leesa’s foams are highly adaptable to all body shapes and sleeping styles, which is an asset in a guest mattress. In terms of price, this mattress is in the middle of the pack, with a Queen costing $865. Leesa is known for its environmental and socially conscious initiatives, which won’t affect the mattress’ comfort, but will give you something to brag to your guests about. This mattress has received generally favorable reviews, though some people have noted it has a strong initial chemical smell.

Highlights:

Versatile: The Leesa rates high on one of the most important factors for guest mattresses: that people with different weights and sleeping positions will be comfortable.

Moderately priced: The Leesa is a happy medium between budget and luxury options.

Hypoallergenic: Despite using synthetic materials, Leesa is free from irritating chemicals and is Certi-PUR certified.

SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress

If you’re considering a temporary air mattress, the SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress is highly rated among users. With an industry-high 40 coils, this mattress offers good support and weight distribution, even for couples. Its 19-inch height also makes it more easy for people to get in and out of bed, as opposed to models which are lower to the ground. The SoundAsleep is considered a luxury air mattress, but at $120, it’s still a fraction of what you’d pay for a permanent bed. Like all air mattresses, the SoundAsleep isn’t immune from problems with leakages, but it offer a one-year warranty, and the company’s customer service is usually described as helpful.

Highlights:

Very affordable: Easily the most inexpensive mattress on this list, the SoundAsleep is nevertheless comfortable enough to ensure your guests feel taken care of.

Easy setup: The SoundAsleep comes with a built-in pump that plugs into an outlet, so you won’t have to struggle with a hand pump.

Storability: When your guests leave, you can deflate this mattress and store it in its carry bag until you need it again.